For immediate release: September 14, 2006 (06-145)

Immunization rates hold steady in Washington
More work needed to continue to keep children and communities protected

OLYMPIA -- After increasing since 2002, Washington’s immunization rates held steady from 2004 to 2005. National data show that, statewide, more children are still protected from life threatening diseases than ever before. The same national survey also is a reminder that we can’t let our guard down as Washington’s rates are still behind the national average. That is why we continue to educate parents about the importance of immunization and give health care providers tools, such as the Immunization Registry, to improve immunization services.

The 2005 National Immunization Survey showed that 66 percent of Washington children aged 19-35 months have a complete vaccination series. The 2004 rate was also 66 percent. The series consists of four DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis), three polio, one MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), three Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), three hepatitis B, and for the first time, one chickenpox (varicella) immunizations. Adding chickenpox vaccine to the series changes the standard — making it difficult to compare rates to previous years. The national rate for this vaccine series is 76 percent; the goal is 80 percent coverage for the vaccination series and 90 percent coverage for individual vaccines.

“Immunization is one of the most important decisions parents can make to protect their child’s health," said Washington Secretary of Health Mary Selecky.  “We must all work together – immunized children protect themselves as well as their own families and communities.”

The Department of Health is doing several things to increase immunization rates, including educating parents and providers about the often missed chickenpox and 4^th DTaP vaccines. The agency also continues to provide free vaccine to healthcare providers for children under age 19. The agency maintains an ongoing collaboration with the state Board of Health regarding school entry requirements and working to assure enough vaccine to meet demand. It also sends regular immunization and other health reminders to parents of Washington children from birth to age six.

Parents, health care providers, schools, and many others play active and vital roles in ensuring that children in our state are fully immunized against serious and preventable illnesses, some of which have no cure or treatment. Children must be fully immunized on time for the best protection; missing or delaying even one vaccine leaves children at risk for disease.  This also reduces community protection and decreases overall immunization rates. Washington rates are high for many individual vaccines (many around 90 percent), yet the cumulative effect of children missing one or two immunizations brings down our overall rates.

 “Our CHILD Profile Immunization Registry is a key tool for increasing immunization rates in our state,” Selecky said. “We encourage doctors, nurses and clinics to keep track of immunizations in the registry so there are no missed opportunities for vaccinations.”

The CHILD Profile Immunization Registry is a secure and centralized data system for up-to-date and accessible immunization records. Health care providers can use the registry to track patient immunization history and check if their patient’s immunizations are up-to-date. Providers can save time getting parents the information they need for school or childcare by printing a child’s immunization record direct from the registry.

Parents are urged to use their regular health care providers for child immunizations. For help finding a healthcare provider or an immunization clinic, call the local health agency in your area or the WithinReach (www.withinreachwa.org/) Family Health hotline, 1-800-322-2588.

More information on childhood immunizations is available on the Department of Health Immunization Program Web site (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/); CHILD Profile (www.childprofile.org/) is also available online. The National Immunization Survey (www.cdc.gov/nip/coverage/default.htm#NIS) is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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